Changes in interleukin-2, -4, -6 and -8 expression in the postovulatory sow endometrium after artificial insemination based on conceived or failed to conceive.

The establishment and maintenance of a pregnancy requires proper interaction between the endocrine and immune systems in the uterus. Therefore, it is crucial to understand how changes in endometrial cytokine levels facilitate reproduction. This study aimed to investigate how representative cytokines sequentially changed in the endometrium and whether conception could be attributed to these changes.

Relationship between bovine endometrial thickness and plasma progesterone and estradiol concentrations in natural and induced estrus.

The objective of this study was to investigate cyclical changes in endometrial thickness in relation to progesterone (P) and estradiol-17β (E) concentrations during natural and induced estrus in 15 cows. In the prostaglandin (PG) F-induced estrus group, ultrasonography (USG) at 6-h intervals was used to determine endometrial thickness 48-24 h before the PGF treatment until 24 h after ovulation (ovulation = Day 0). In the natural estrus group, USG was performed every 48 h from Day 3 to Days 15-18 after the first ovulation, and then every 6 h until 24 h after ovulation.

A transvaginal endoscopy-based technique for performing ovarian examinations in sows.

For examining pig ovaries, which have complex structures, laparoscopy is a useful technique, but requires general anesthesia; therefore, it cannot be performed repeatedly within a short period of time. We report a transvaginal endoscopy-based technique for conducting ovarian examinations without general anesthesia. Sows were sedated in pig stalls.

Endometrial epidermal growth factor profile and its abnormalities in dairy cows.

Normal cows have 2 peaks in endometrial epidermal growth factor (EGF) concentrations on Days 2-4 and 13-14, and the absence of peaks has been linked to reduced fertility in repeat breeder (RB) cows. However, the timing of the peaks (i.e.

Alteration of the endometrial EGF profile as a potential mechanism connecting the alterations in the ovarian steroid hormone profile to embryonic loss in repeat breeders and high-producing cows.

Poor reproductive efficiency is a worldwide problem that has affected the dairy industry during the last several decades. In an attempt to explain the changes in reproductive physiology caused by high milk production, a model of elevated steroid metabolism in lactating dairy cows has been proposed. A slow increase in levels and low peak levels of estradiol (E₂) and progesterone (P₄) characterize endocrine changes in high producing cows.

Low incidence of an altered endometrial epidermal growth factor (EGF) profile in repeat breeder Holstein heifers and differential effect of parity on the EGF profile between fertile Holstein (dairy) and Japanese Black (beef) cattle.

A high incidence (about 70%) of alteration in endometrial epidermal growth factor (EGF) profile, i.e., loss of 2 peaks on days 2-4 and 13-14, has been linked to a reduced fertility in multiparous repeat breeder Holstein cows.

Change in Morphology of Spermatozoa from Dismount Semen during the Breeding Season in Thoroughbred Stallions in Japan.

To clarify the physiological changes of sperm morphology in active Thoroughbred stallions during the breeding season, we examined the dismount semen collected from the penile urethra immediately after service. The spermatozoa were analyzed for relationships between the morphology and the stallion's age or the number of services. Seasonal variation was apparent in the rate of the sperm tail abnormalities, spermatozoa with cytoplasmic droplets, appearance of medusa cells, and sperm head length.

Spermatozoa morphology during the breeding season in Thoroughbred stallions in Japan.

The morphology of spermatozoa of modern Thoroughbred stallions in Japan was investigated during the breeding season. A total of 299 semen samples were collected from the penises of 16 stallions immediately after service. The rate of abnormalities in sperm heads and tails, spermatozoa with cytoplasmic droplets and slides with medusa cells to total observed slides in each stallion were 3.

Treatment with a High Dose Combination of PMSG/hCG Preparation of Mares Clinically Diagnosed with Ovarian Quiescence during the Breeding Season (Investigation from 1975 to 2000).

A total of 88 thoroughbred mares were diagnosed with clinical ovarian quiescence and subjected to four treatment regimens. Using PMSG, hCG or combinations of both. A high dose combination of 5,000IU PMSG with 5,000IU hCG showed significantly higher rates of marked estrus and ovulation induction (P<0.

Intrafollicular Concentrations of Steroid Hormones and PGF2α in Relation to Follicular Development in the Mares during the Breeding Season.

The concentrations of androstenedione, estradiol-17β, progesterone and PGF2α contained in the follicular fluid produced by the follicles in collected ovaries of mares that have had estrous phase during the breeding season were measured and analyzed the relation between the growth stage of follicles and the hormone levels in the follicular fluid. An ultrasonographic diagnostic instrument was used to measure the diameter of the follicles in order to categorize the follicles into three groups the following: 8 small follicles (from 1.0 to less than1.

DNA extraction from bovine mummified fetuses and detection of factor XI gene deficiency in the mummies.

Genomic DNA extracted from bovine mummified tissue is valuable material for detection of some genes that may contribute to fetal abnormalities. In this study bovine genomic DNA was extracted from the hardened tissue samples of ten bovine mummified fetuses. The amount of genomic DNA extracted from 2 g of the mummified tissues by the phenol/chloroform-ethanol method was low (less than 4 microg/ml) for all samples.

Changes in interleukin-6 concentration in peripheral blood of pre- and post-partum dairy cattle and its relationship to postpartum reproductive diseases.

Reproductive diseases after parturition are a serious problem in dairy cattle. It is important to predict postpartum reproductive diseases early and to develop prophylaxis. The objectives of this study were to demonstrate changes in the peripheral blood concentration of interleukin-6 (IL-6) before parturition, which was mainly produced by T helper 2 type (Th2) cells, and to investigate a correlation between the IL-6 concentration and the occurrence of the postpartum retained placenta, endometritis and/or follicular cyst in dairy cattle.

Clinical response of ovarian cysts in dairy cows after PRID treatment.

We investigated the therapeutic effects of a progesterone releasing intravaginal device (PRID) on cystic ovarian disease (COD) and reproduction performance of cows. The possible influence of PRID on metabolic and/or health status was also examined. A total of 40 Holstein-Friesian cattle, with ovarian cystic structures, > or =2.

Relationship among insulin-like growth factor-I, blood metabolites and postpartum ovarian function in dairy cows.

The relationship among nutritional status, systemic insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and ovarian function early postpartum were investigated. A total of 27 Holstein-Friesian cows, 10 that cycled normally within 20 days postpartum, 5 diagnosed with follicular cysts, 8 with persistent corpus luteum (CL) after the first ovulation postpartum and 4 with inactive ovaries were used for the study. Blood samples were collected 1-3 times per week, for 60 days pre- and postpartum, for IGF-I, progesterone, estradiol, free fatty acids (FFA), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) determination.